Daddy's First Father's Day

     We had quite a successful first Father's Day. Despite the fact that my teething bundle of joy did not sleep one wink past 2 a.m. last night unless she was placed on my chest, we had a pancake breakfast, bright and early. I had forgotten what the sleepless nights are like, and taken my rest for granted once Vivi started sleeping through the night. It could be a sleep regression, or it could be the teeth that are threatening to make their appearance, but would rather torture my daughter for a bit longer than do so.
 

     Following breakfast, Daddy and Amos had some Daddy & doggy quality time in the nearby park while Mommy and Vivi took a nap. Our afternoon was spent in the Queens Zoo in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It was a beautiful day to walk around the park. There is so much to do there! We even struck up a conversation with a father who is away from his family while on business in New York, but bursting at the seems with excitement and trepidation as he awaits the birth of his first son (but third child) next month.

     As we sat and ate our lunch, purchased from a delicious empanada cart in the park, I realized that it really is the simpler things in life that take our breath away and make us burst with happiness.  I did not buy my husband cuff links, or a wallet, or a tie, because not only are they things that he does not need, but also because as a SAHM, money is tight. Instead, I took the time to build a photo book on this site, of his and Vivi's journey so far, captioned with lyrics from Martina McBride's "In My Daughter's Eyes." He loved it! While others may be celebrating a much fancier Father's Day, our little family of three sat on a park bench, enjoyed our meal, and took in the beauty around us.
 

     Our night concluded with a barbecue and Italian ices from The Lemon Ice King.  Yum! We sat in a little courtyard nearby, watching fathers interact with their children, and little, old men playing bocce ball. I watched my husband feeding dessert to his daughter and knew without a question that life is good.

My Vivi and her Daddy